Key Takeaways
• President Herzog declared Israel makes no distinction based on dual citizenship in efforts to rescue hostages.
• Hamas sometimes releases dual nationals after requests from foreign governments; these are not Israeli policy decisions.
• Germany and the international community support Israel’s equal treatment for all hostages, regardless of citizenship status.
During his recent visit to Germany 🇩🇪, Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated very clearly that dual citizenship is not a factor in Israel 🇮🇱’s ongoing efforts to bring home hostages who have been held by Hamas in Gaza. This statement came as Israel and Germany marked 60 years of official diplomatic ties, a time marked also by the heavy shadow of the Gaza conflict. President Herzog stood next to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, leaving no doubt on where the State of Israel stands on this issue.
President Herzog said: “The State of Israel makes no distinction between one citizen and another… all the hostages are equal. The duty to bring back all the hostages is a sacred and holy moral obligation of the State of Israel.” This strong statement made it clear to both Israelis and the wider international community that Israel puts every effort into getting every hostage released, and that these efforts do not change based on whether someone has one passport or many.
Israel’s Policy: No Distinction Based on Dual Citizenship
Before going deeper into the impact of this policy, it is important to understand what dual citizenship means in this case. Dual citizenship refers to when a person is recognized as a citizen of two different countries at the same time. In the current context, some Israeli hostages also hold foreign citizenships—from countries like the United States 🇺🇸, Germany 🇩🇪, or Russia 🇷🇺—while others have only Israeli citizenship. After the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, over 30 countries reportedly found their nationals among those taken hostage.
President Herzog’s message was meant to ease fears that Israeli authorities might act faster or more forcefully for those with another passport. He emphasized that, for Israel, the core responsibility is to all its citizens as equal members of society. “All captives are equal under state responsibility and moral obligation,” he said, framing the government’s action as both a legal and a deep moral duty.
How Other Countries Respond
Internationally, several governments have had stakes in the hostage situation. For example, Russia 🇷🇺 and Germany 🇩🇪 have publicly spoken about efforts to secure the release of their citizens. In some cases, there have even been media reports about Hamas releasing certain hostages with foreign passports, such as Russian-Israeli nationals, after diplomatic requests from the Russian government. However, officials stress these are decisions made by Hamas, based on its own interests, not because Israel treats dual nationals as a higher priority.
During President Herzog’s trip, German officials also commented on this issue. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul supported the Israeli stance, confirming that Germany seeks the safe return of all hostages but does not pressure Israel to put more effort into cases with a German passport-holder. Instead, Germany shares the view that every human life is equally important, no matter their citizenship.
The Families’ Perspective: Concerns and Hopes
The question of dual citizenship has touched many Israeli families in a very personal way. Some relatives of hostages who have only Israeli citizenship have voiced concerns: Are their loved ones at risk of being left aside in diplomatic or military negotiations, just because they do not hold a second passport from a powerful country? This worry has been discussed in Israeli media and within advocacy groups who support hostage families.
Reports show these concerns are not imaginary. Past events, in other countries and conflicts, have sometimes seen foreign passport-holders get earlier releases through international talks or exchanges. But, as reported by VisaVerge.com, Israeli government officials and well-known civil society groups have taken steps to reassure everyone that the country makes no such separation. Israeli officials meet regularly with all families and public campaigns insist, again and again, that “everyone is someone’s child, and every hostage matters equally.”
Hostage Policy in Context
To give more background, the issue of how to treat dual citizenship in hostage situations is not unique to Israel. Many countries face similar questions when citizens who also hold another nationality are taken in crises overseas. There is no standard global approach: Some countries work quietly through diplomatic channels, others make direct appeals, and some may even coordinate military rescues when possible.
What stands out in the Israeli case is how openly and repeatedly President Herzog and his government state their policy. They use public events, press briefings, and meetings with other world leaders to underline—both to families at home and to allies abroad—that Israel will never rank one citizen above another on the basis of nationality or passport type.
Politics, Pressure, and Propaganda
One thing that does add complexity is the way armed groups sometimes use dual citizenship for their own political messages. In the case of the Gaza hostages, reports suggest that, at certain points, Hamas freed individuals with Russian or other foreign passports after outside governments became involved. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, these releases reflect Hamas’ interest in building favor with those countries—or in sending messages to Israel and the wider world—not a sign that Israel is treating dual citizens with special preference.
This also puts stress on Israel’s leaders, who have to show—again and again—that their hands are tied only by the urgency to bring everyone home, not by passport color. Any suggestion from within or outside the country that the government is being selective would create division at a time when public unity is needed most.
The Role of Other Governments and the UN
Germany 🇩🇪, the United States 🇺🇸, France 🇫🇷, and other countries have said clearly that they expect Israel to do its best to secure all hostages’ return. Yet, they also understand Israel’s position. German officials, for instance, have said in many public statements that they are deeply concerned for German nationals—but at the same time, they support a broad effort that does not sort people by citizenship status.
International organizations, like the United Nations, often get involved, asking all sides to make humanitarian concerns the top priority and to respect the equal worth of every person taken captive. Still, their ability to affect outcomes is usually limited to issuing statements and encouraging negotiations.
Israel’s Statement and the Moral Burden
Again and again, President Herzog comes back to the idea that bringing home all hostages is both a duty under Israeli law and a “sacred and holy moral obligation.” This type of statement draws on Israel’s history and on widely shared Jewish values, where caring for the life and freedom of every individual is seen as a basic part of the nation’s purpose.
Israeli policy, as explained by Herzog in Berlin 🇩🇪, can be broken down as follows:
- No matter how many passports a person holds, they are treated the same.
- The Israeli government works on behalf of all its citizens, equally.
- Israel welcomes help from other countries to secure releases but does not allow outside nationality to shift its own priorities.
- Appeals or releases involving dual citizens—such as those reported with Russia or the United States—involve decisions made by hostage-takers, not policy from Israel.
For official resources about Israeli citizenship and state responsibilities, you can visit the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority.
Diplomacy and Ongoing Talks
Diplomatic talks remain active and very delicate. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has worked closely with many allied governments to build pressure on Hamas and to arrange for the return of hostages. Even as ceasefire deals or temporary truces have been discussed—such as those found in the history of the 2025 Gaza war—there is always the risk that any appearance of favoritism could slow progress for those left behind.
Israeli negotiators have told family representatives and foreign officials that one of the top goals is avoiding the “divide and rule” tactics sometimes used by armed groups, such as offering out a dual citizen here and there while retaining others. “We cannot let anyone feel second-class,” one Israeli official reportedly said, repeating the basic message given by President Herzog.
How Does All This Affect Hostages and Families?
Dual citizenship, even though it should have no bearing on Israeli policy, does remain a real part of the broader diplomatic picture. People with more than one passport may “get noticed” by the other country, and foreign embassies might try to help. Still, from Israel’s side, these individuals are not counted as a higher priority—they simply get the same focus as every citizen.
For families with a relative in captivity, these statements matter. Every attempt by President Herzog and his team to stress equal treatment aims to comfort all waiting families, hoping to stop rumors or worries that could tear at public unity.
The Importance of Equal Treatment
Fairness is not just a slogan for Israeli leaders. In this tense and highly publicized crisis, the government’s commitment to equal treatment of all citizens is a test of its core values. When rights groups and journalists ask questions, officials do not shy away—they hold meetings, release written policies, and talk openly in international forums.
This consistency—no special rule for dual citizenship, no exceptions or shortcuts—serves not only to calm worried families, but also to show Israel’s allies and critics that the state operates under rules and values it promises to keep even in the hardest times.
Looking Ahead: The Situation’s Wider Meaning
President Herzog’s clear stance may also be meant to set an example for other countries that sometimes struggle when their own citizens, especially those with ties to more than one country, face trouble overseas. “Every life matters, every family deserves hope,” could be a message meant not only for Israelis but also for governments everywhere looking for the right path in crises like these.
By stressing equal treatment and respect for the moral duty to bring every citizen home, Israel seeks to avoid the traps of favoritism and division. It hopes to keep its citizens united and to maintain trust both at home and abroad.
Conclusion: Herzog’s Message and Its Ongoing Impact
President Isaac Herzog’s statements in Germany 🇩🇪 have been strong and simple: Dual citizenship changes nothing about Israel 🇮🇱’s efforts to secure the return of hostages. All hostages are seen as equally worthy of state action and care. The government’s duty, says Herzog, is “sacred and holy,” pointing both to Israeli law and to deeper moral values shared across society.
As the situation continues, and as Israel works with international allies to solve the remaining hostage crisis, Herzog and his team will likely keep repeating this equal-treatment policy. They hope it keeps society focused on unity and fairness, reminding everyone—from worried families to foreign partners—that, in Israel’s eyes, every hostage is truly of equal worth, no matter how many passports they might carry.
For more on dual citizenship rules and Israel’s official positions, readers can find detailed information on the Israeli government’s immigration portal. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the heart of current Israeli policy is summed up in Herzog’s own words: No difference is made—all hostages, and all citizens, are equal. The mission to bring every last one home continues, with equal care and determination for each individual, regardless of dual citizenship or nationality.
Learn Today
Dual Citizenship → Legal status where a person is recognized as a citizen of two nations at the same time, with respective rights.
Hostage → An individual held against their will by a group or person, often to achieve political or diplomatic objectives.
Diplomatic Ties → Formal relationships established between two nations, usually involving embassies, treaties, and regular communication.
Consular Protection → Assistance and protection provided by a citizen’s home country embassy when they face trouble abroad.
International Organization → A global entity, like the United Nations, that promotes cooperation among countries on major issues.
This Article in a Nutshell
President Herzog affirmed Israel treats all its citizens equally in hostage rescue missions, regardless of dual citizenship. International leaders echoed the call for equal treatment. Though some foreign interventions led to releases, Israel rejects favoritism—maintaining a policy rooted in legal, moral, and social responsibility to every citizen, not their passports.
— By VisaVerge.com
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